Hey everyone, I just got home from the dealership after buying a 2020 Bud Ekins Bonneville T100. I'd say I got a pretty good deal on it, and I'm stoked to start riding again after a few years without a bike! You'll be seeing me around I guess. Nice to meet you all.
Here she is! This is the first vehicle I've ever owned that's less than 1 decade old, and honestly it almost feels TOO nice to have such a pretty bike, as strange as that sounds I took it to work today and it was a blast to ride
I love my 2023 Meriden Blue/Tangerine Orange T100: it's beautiful, comfortable, 62 mpg US. I have a recreated poster from 1959 of the "same" bike. I hope your transmission fairs better than mine: it's on it's fourth pivot plate in 10k miles. The dealers and Triumph Aftersales have been very good so far.
I uh... I'm not very mechanically inclined. What the hell is a pivot plate and how do I not destroy mine?
I learned most of what I know about motorcycle transmissions while owning my T100. I imagine that most people outside of mechanics and a few others have no idea what a pivot plate is since it normally lasts the life of the motorcycle. I was told that unless you do something ridiculous, like standing on the shift lever, you won't damage this part of the transmission. The only thing I've heard resembling a Root Cause is that Triumph got a batch of randomly, improperly heat treated pivot plates. Same advice I got in 1971 when I got my first bike "let it warm up before you redline it and keep up on the maintenance" still seems to apply. Update 8/19/2024: after three shift shaft assemblies replaced in 10,000 miles I tried to take a ride yesterday and the bike won't downshift, looks like it needs a fourth transmission repair (probably pivot plate), 11,461 miles.
After you have put some miles on it.....and got to know the bike better.....let us know of your thoughts. I have made a few simple mods to mine....de-catted the motor.....big difference. Although the std peashooters look stunning.....I was offered a set of British Norman Hyde Silencers.....they look the same as the 60s Bonnies.....not sure is the sound any better.....I would need some body to ride it for me while I listen. I blacked out the switches.....looked to modern. And altered the angle of the number plate to be more vertical again more 60s looking....we here in england have horrible huge number plates....not like you guys in the USA.....so I bought a custom legal smaller plate....needed less number to be able to do that......oh and lowered the rear fender a bit.....looked a bit to high to me.... Vid of what I have done.....wont suit every body I know.
Looks great, man! For me, the only thing I know for sure I want to modify is converting the bike from chain to belt drive.
Enjoyed the walk round video and very interested to see the mods you've carried out. Great to be able to personalise your bike like that and learn a few of your maintenance techniques, just disappointed that you didn't start her up! I've got a 2004 Thruxton that the previous owner personalised in many ways and I've continued along similar lines. Makes the whole ownership experience more enjoyable although I leave any mechanical work to my local bike shop that I've dealt with for years.